crazy, mixed up world

There are days I shake my head, wondering if life makes sense — wondering if our reality has somehow evolved into some curvy, messed up fantasy world, where our focus and values have fallen somewhere between “Freaky Friday,” “As the World Turns,” and “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.” I wonder what we value… what we have mixed up… and if we are still discerning of what is good and true and right…

… So many of us tuned into the Super Bowl — some 114.4 million to be almost exact — but we tend to tune out the evening news, feeling the stories are the same — just the names and faces are different each night.

… We pay significant attention to the news anchor who lied, but for the politician that lied/lies or tends to greatly exaggerate (always uncannily, making themselves look better or braver), we look the other way… especially if they vote the way we like.

… We Google with glee, with all eyes and ears on the actors, athletes, and celebrities. Tell me: how long will we pay attention to Kayla Mueller, the 26 year old, American woman who is the latest to pay with her life at the hands of ISIS, the radical Islamic terrorist group? How long?

I shuddered reading Kayla’s letter to her family, written in November of last year. Her insight was amazing: “…I remember mom always telling me that all in all in the end the only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our creator b/c literally there was no else … + by God + by your prayers I have felt tenderly cradled in freefall. I have been shown in darkness, light + have learned that even in prison, one can be free. I am grateful. I  have come to see that there is good in every situation, sometimes we just have to look for it.”

To think we will not pay much attention… to think her death may be minimized…I wonder about this mixed up world.

I will admit: I am currently watching one other, potentially mixed up scenario…

When “American Sniper” came out, the box office smash met rave reviews and even attained a “Best Picture” nomination by the 87th Academy Awards. The movie chronicles the life of Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL who was considered “the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.” He served four tours in the Iraq War, reportedly having shot and killed more than 160 targets. He was considered a hero. Because Kyle was so effective in killing our identified enemy, Iraqi insurgents nicknamed him the “Devil of Ramadi” and put a bounty on his head. The movie accounts some awful situations Kyle confronted, as the face of the enemy is often disguised as something lesser.

“American Sniper” has also faced ample, significant criticism… Michael Moore, Seth Rogen, former Gov. Howard Dean, etal… they have led the chorus, making strong public claims of racism, bigotry, and/or cowardice in Kyle’s behavior. Their criticism is loud — as is their assertion that Kyle is no hero.

This weekend, no less — to celebrate Valentine’s Day — the American public will also be exposed to the much-anticipated “50 Shades of Grey.” Such is the cinematic account of the best-selling 2011 novel. Wikipedia factually depicts the story as follows: “It is notable for its explicitly erotic scenes featuring elements of sexual practices involving bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism.”

The Intramuralist is offering no encouragement on whether or not to see either ‘Sniper’ or the ‘Grey Shades.’ I only question which movie we will value more. Which will we celebrate? Which will we criticize? … and are we still discerning of what is good and true and right?

Respectfully…

AR